A guide to Gwangju (광주), and to a lesser extent South Korea.A definitive guide to Gwangju (광주) and South Korea is impossible as a lot businesses don't last long.
Places pop up and disappear faster than the cherry blossom bloom so this guide is going to go over the broad strokes and focus on bigger establishments than tend to last longer.
Transportation:The public transport in Gwangju is pretty good and easy to use.
What you need is a "hanpay" card that you can use on both the subway and buses.
You can pick one up from any convenience store (7/11, CU, G25) and charge it at the store, subway stations and even online. Note, this card is for Gwangju and you'll probably need something similar if you travel to different cities in Korea.
https://www.hanpay.net/ 
(Image from www.gwangjunewsgic.com)
SupermarketsThere's the big 3; Lotte mart (lottemart.com), E-mart (emart.com) and Homeplus (homeplus.co.kr).
All these stores are basically departments stores with sections for food, electronics, clothing etc.
However, they are relatively expensive and you'd be better going to a local mart 마트 (SMmart -
www.smmart.kr) for food. In addition, be aware the big 3 don't open the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
School / Household SuppliesThe best place to pick up anything for the house or school is a dollar store type place called Daiso (다이소)
www.daiso.co.kr
(Image from seoulistic.com)
Clothing / Electronic StoresThere are many clothing shops in the Gwangju city center. The city center which can be reached via the subway station 금남로4가 (Geumnamno 4 Ga). There are many local shops but also big brand stores such as H&M, Uniqlo and Zara with staff that general speak more English.
There is also high-end clothing at Sejong Outlet which is right next to the Sangmu subway station.
In addition, there is also U-Square which is the biggest mall in Gwangju and houses the bus terminal as well.
For electronics there is a huge department store called Kumho World near U-Square.
www.ikumhoworld.co.krBanksThere are many banks you can sign up with but we'd recommend KEB.
KEB (or the Korea Exchange Bank - 외환은행)
www.keb.co.kr/main/en is a bank that specifically caters to foreign business thus has more English speaking services and even online banking.
CinemaThere are many cinemas that you can visit in Korea, including Lotte Cinema, Megabox and CGV.
We personally recommend CGV (http://www.cgv.co.kr/reserve/show-times/eng/).
CGV tends to have more English speakers and most have ticket machines with an English option.
There is also this great site http://cineinkorea.com/movie/index.php that provides times in English.
Doctor / DentistFor a dentist there is
http://mediphildent.com/
Next to usquare/shinsegae. There is a footbridge close to shinsegae on the main
road. Cross the bridge and you will see a bank. The
entrance is where the IDk Bank is and on the 6th floor.FitnessThere are no big gym brands in Gwangju so most places are local.
We go to Star Fitness which is located on the 6th floor above SMmart.
It's only 5 minutes from Sangmu subway station.
KaraokeThere are many great Korean Karaoke/Singing rooms or locally called Noraebang 노래방.
In the city center there is an 'Alien' themed room which is
is in the building next to the Burger King where the arcade games area is (35.147004, 126.916903).Below is a guide to the controls that you'll find in the different rooms:
http://www.korea4expats.com/article-noraebang-machine-functions-english-translation.html
Other Resources:The best resource for life in Gwangju is the GIC Gwangju International Center (eng.gic.or.kr)
We personally recommend their Korean Classes.
Social media is also a great resource, especiaaly the Gwangju group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2330675731/
Immigration
Address: 광주출입국관리사무소행정실 광주광역시서구쌍촌동
627-1 Gwanju Immigration Office
Seo-gu, Ssangchon-dong, 627-1
Relocation Date: Monday November 4th,
2013
Phone Number: +82 62-605-5333
Public Transportation -
Bus #16, 19,
69, 72, 760, stop @ Honam University Entrance (호남대입구) - Subway stop @
Uncheon Station (Honam University) 운천역 (호남대입구), Exit 4
Hours:Open
from Monday to Friday from 09:00 am until 18:00 pm. Closed for 1 hr
between 12:00 pm and 13:00 pm for lunch. Open on Saturday from 09:00 am –
13:00 pm. Closed on Sundays and Holidays.
*TIP* Smiling and
being friendly seems to speed things along considerably. These people
have a difficult job…try not to make it more so by yelling at them.
-Fingerprinting,
if you need it, can be done at any of the large police stations…not the
little “on the corner” ones. Print out the card from your government’s
website and head on down. The one I know many people go to is at the
end of Art Street nearest the Culture Center construction. Big place
with a wall around it.
-Immigrationis where you go to renew your
visa. You will fill out a form at the desk when you go in. Check the
“Extension of Sojourn” box. Take a number for Residence and wait.
Cost: 30,000 won. Bring your passport, copy of contract, and your
school’s business license. Many schools will take care of this for
you…this is for those that don’t.
-You can also get a new ARC
here. Same form as the renewal, different box. Will cost @10,000.
Bring a picture on a white background. They have a photo booth outside
the office if you forget.
-Same form for changing your address as the above two items.
-If
your Visa is an E-2, it is tied to your place of employment. You work
in Korea with your school’s permission. Working at another job without
it is illegal. Some programs like EPIK have understandings with other
schools. Other opportunities may come up through your school. Try to
find out what your school allows. Private tutoring is generally not
allowed unless you are an F visa holder.
(great guide from Brian Burgoyne)
Facebook:Below is an awesome list from the (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2330675731/) gwangju fb group.
A small collection of groups around Gwangju (with which you may
become involved):
Nerd Culture:
Arts and
Entertainment:
Buying/Selling/Trading:
Athletics:
Restaurants/Cafes/Taphouses:
Voyagers: https://www.facebook.com/voyagersgwangju?fref=ts
Jobs:
Community:
Gwangsangu-ers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/129079153968737/345627412313909/?notif_t=group_activity
Gwangju Community Builders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452871204866054/
Ecology:
Lifestyle/Well-being:
